with theory: (at Borodin's you didn't have a prelude for "Love," but
now you do):108 I'll say no more to you on the score of symphonic
development.--Now, my dear Korsinka, listen to one thing: creation
itself bears within itself its own laws of refinement. Their verification
is inner criticism; their application is the artist's instinct. If there is
neither one nor the other--there is no creative artist; if there is a
creative artist--there must be one as well as the other and the artist
is a law unto himself. When the artist revises, he is not content (as in
Vengeance--which makes me glad). When he, contented, revises or,
what is worse, adds to it, he germanizes, relives what has already been
said. We are not ruminants, but omnivorous animals. This would be
a contradiction!--and of nature.

"So when you are alone, like this, and you think things over, at
leisure, you do come to feel that, after all, one has to . . ."109 become one's self. This is hardest of all, that is, it is the rarest of things to
achieve, but it's possible.--And as it's possible, there's no use theorizing, but I kiss Korsinka firmly and even wish him very pleasant
dreams, as it is two o'clock at night.

MODESTE

I'll be with you at the end of August.

57. To VLADIMIR NIKOLSKY, St. Petersburg

[Shilovo] 15 August [1868]

Rumors have reached me that my priceless treasure in the dear
figure of dyainka, with his characteristic craftiness, has sneaked into
my dwelling in my absence.--This treasure of mine had read in the
church calendar that June 15 is the day of St. Modestus,110 hence the
sneaking in, the treasure wanted to drag me along to a favorably disposed man to enjoy dainties and a heart-to-heart talk.--Thanks to
him for this--forsooth! Exceeding thanks, for when a little man feels
good he is pleased, and when he gets pleasure from another person
then--happy as he is, he says thanks!

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